Just In: Onicha Monarch Marks One Year On Throne, Honours 40 Dignitaries

By Wilson Ogbonnaya Okereke, Afikpo

The Traditional Ruler of Onicha Igboeze Autonomous Community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, His Royal Highness Eze Ferdinand Okoronkwo Nwujor, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, celebrated the first anniversary of his reign with the conferment of chieftaincy titles on 40 distinguished personalities. The ceremony, held at Egunkwo, the sacred ground of the Onicha clan, attracted prominent political office holders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and indigenes from within and outside the state.

Speaking at the event, HRH Eze Nwujor said the anniversary celebration was organised to thank God for the peaceful one year of his reign and to recognise individuals who have distinguished themselves through service to humanity. According to him, the celebration was also an opportunity to reassure the people of Onicha Igboeze of his commitment to purposeful leadership.

“The event was used as an avenue to inform the entire Onicha people that my cabinet and I have come to work and to prove that we are always at their service,” the monarch stated. The royal father noted that his ascension to the throne ushered in relative peace in the community, which previously experienced boundary disputes, youth restiveness, and other internal challenges. “I cannot say that there is 100 percent peace, but there is relative peace in all the nooks and crannies of the community. People can now sleep with their eyes closed,” he said.

Eze Nwujor further disclosed that his reign had helped to revive positive cultural values, stressing that Onicha traditions abhor evil and should not be wrongly perceived as fetish practices. The monarch explained that the chieftaincy titles were conferred on selected individuals based strictly on merit and proven contributions to humanity. Among the awardees were the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Senator Professor Anthony Okorie Ani; the House of Representatives member for Ohanivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Nkemkamma Nkama; four serving commissioners; and 34 other dignitaries. “After observing their performances in their various assignments, I deemed it necessary to encourage them to sustain the tempo. This gesture is to let them know that people are watching and that hard work and service to humanity do not go unnoticed,” he said.

The monarch also urged members of his cabinet to remain committed to serving the people diligently, while commending the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for its positive impact across the state. He assured the government of the continued support of the Onicha kingdom. Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, Chief Patrick Njoku expressed gratitude to the monarch, describing the honour as a motivation to do more for society. “Today, I have been conferred with the title of Omenuko Aku I of Onicha Igboeze. I will not relent in supporting the community in my own little way,” he said.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Inter-Party Affairs, Hon. Philip Ogbonnaya Okorie, who received the title Ikenga I of Onicha Igboeze, described the recognition as encouraging, noting that his humanitarian efforts were carried out without expectation of reward. Another awardee, Mr. Friday Nnanna Ujor, conferred with the title Agubataohia I of Onicha Igboeze, pledged to intensify his philanthropic activities and commended the monarch for promoting peace and security in the community. The President-General-elect of Onicha Igboeze Town Union, Barrister Eze Ogbonnaya Eze, lauded the community for organising the first anniversary celebration of the monarch, assuring of synergy between the town union and the traditional institution to sustain peace and development. “As PG, I will work closely with the royal father to promote peace, unity, and progress in our land,” he said, while urging the award recipients to remain good ambassadors of the Onicha clan. Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chief Ogbonnaya Odabe, explained that the celebration was organised to mark one year since HRH Eze Nwujor was elected as traditional ruler on April 11, 2004, at Egunkwo. He described the monarch as a seasoned educationist and community leader whose reign has recorded notable achievements in peace and security. “The chieftaincy awards were not based on affluence but on merit and positive impact on the lives of the downtrodden,” Chief Odabe said.